We finally know what Americans think the “fair share” of the rich should be

by Stu

Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012 at 5:52 PM EDT

Usually, when pollsters ask the American people if the rich should pay more in taxes–the answer is yes. However, the Hill asked a far more important question–what rate should the rich be paying?
Of those who answered:

80% think taxes on the rich should be lower than they are today.

94% think taxes on the rich should be lower than what Obama says he wants to raise them to.

If that’s true, why do people always say they want the rich to pay more? Essentially–Americans have no idea what tax rate the rich are paying. So, they’re just guessing on what they feel. When they know the facts, they think those rates are obscene. Republicans, independents, and democrats agree. It’s a consensus!

The media has been so successful vilifying the rich, that the American people find themselves strongly disagreeing with…themselves. Nice work media!

Anonymous

Stu, I can’t wrap my head around why the media vilifies the rich .. THEY ARE the rich!

Anonymous

Stu, Bob thinks this man (Soros) has some redeeming qualities since he has given so much of his own money in philanthropically. Is he indeed such an unselfish man. Are there less that altruistic reason for Soros so freely separating himself from his monies?

Subject: George SorosJerry,Hated as he is… he is driven to make a difference and he is doing it with his own money, not yours and mine. I admire his guts and his commitment even though I despise his agenda. Hitler didn’t spend his own money. Obama is spending our money. Clinton spent our money. Hillary is spending our money. Roosevelt spent our money way into the future. Even Bush spent our money. Few men set out to make a difference and those who do, few of them spend money from their own purse. Soros has tried to build open societies and funded these efforts. Too bad he is running from his Jewish roots and running from God. He either has tremendous ego or tremendous hatred or both. Hopefully he will find himself on his knees crying before God.Bob George Soros — the rich man who is hated around the worldPublished: 2/28/2012 7:56 AM ETSubscribe to Dan GainorBy Dan GainorAuthor Archive· 0Email0ShareThisNewGeorge Soros has donated more than $8 billion globally to his Open Society Foundations. Couple that with decades of investing around the world and it would be easy to assume Soros in a figure of global popularity.Only he isn’t. He’s almost the polar opposite.Soros made headlines recently warning of increased economic problems, the growth of Occupy Wall Street and government repression what he characterized as “strong-arm tactics to maintain law and order.” In short, the kind of chaos helped foment in the old Soviet Union and elsewhere.In his book “Open Society,” Soros credits his foundation with “mobilizing civil society” against the government in Slovakia and Croatia, among others. He readily calls himself “an active participant in the revolution that swept away the Soviet system.”So when Soros talks of chaos, it’s a subject he knows well. The only question is his involvement.Most everywhere Soros, his foundations or his investment money has gone, trouble has followed.He’s helped start revolutions, undermined national currencies and funded radicals around the world.Soros has been convicted of insider dealing in France and fined $3 million, fined another $2 million in his native Hungary.His “foundations have been accused of shielding spies and breaking currency laws” and his investing strategy has been targeted for harming several national currencies.That’s not the story the broadcast networks have been telling about Soros for the past five years.There were 29 mentions of Soros during that time but only one gave any hint at trouble, and that was merely to mention he was “still known as the man who broke the Bank of England.”But ABC followed that description up with: “That was all legal.”Only a sex scandal with a 28-year-old Brazilian actress gave Soros any negative publicity at all.But there have been lots of negatives in Soros’s past as he’s spread his influence around the world. Soros wears criticism like a badge of honor.“I have now come under attack in several countries: in Hungary from Hungarian nationalists; in Romania from the Vatra Romanesca; in Slovakia from the communist party newspaper Pravda; in the Soviet Union by the organ of the hard-liners Sovietskaia Russiya,” he claims in “Underwriting Democracy.”Soros’s Open Society Fund was created in 1979 as a charitable lead trust. Even its creator admitted his motives were “basically selfish” and he wanted a “tax gimmick.” He did it as a “trust for his children”While Soros has been known worldwide for his investment skills, he hasn’t always managed to stay clear of the authorities.He was found guilty in France of an insider trading case about 20 years ago and has repeatedly failed at having that news pulled from his record.According to The New York Times, in September 2011, a French panel upheld his conviction because “he had bought and sold shares of Société Générale in 1988 with the knowledge that the bank might be a takeover target.”He was fined $3 million.His fund ran into problems in Hungary, where Soros was born and lived till his late teen years. At issue was how he handled an investment into the “the country’s largest bank”: OTP.“His fund was fined $2 million by Hungarian regulators last week for having manipulated OTP’s stock price,” wrote The New York Times in 2009.Even when he has steered clear of legal ramifications, he had some questionable dealings. In 1999, New York Times economist (and now Nobel Prize winner) Paul Krugman skewered Soros in a piece for Slate.com.The story, “Don’t Blame It on Rio … or Brasilia Either,” accused Arminio Fraga Neto of working with Soros in his role as president of Brazil’s central bank. Fraga was upset, saying he “did not have access to any privileged information” and Krugman posted a formal apology saying “Fraga has behaved entirely properly.”A very positive profile of Soros in The New Republic in 1994 still explained that his investing angered several nations. “The president of the European Community and representatives of the French and Belgian governments have accused him of orchestrating ‘an Anglo-Saxon plot’ to undermine the French currency.The British government blames him for driving sterling from the European Monetary System,” wrote Michael Lewis.Soros’s currency moves have long been controversial.The magazine Foreign Policy ran a cartoon of the billionaire in 2000 that shows Soros torturing a James Bond character and saying “You saw what my awesome destructive powers did to the British pound and Malaysian ringgit, 007 … Do you think your puny governments can stop me?” reported The Washington Post.Speaking of foreign policy there’s also the Soros foreign policy.Morton Abramowitz of the Carnegie Endowment for Peace once said Soros became the “only private citizen who had his own foreign policy.”That remains true, though it often conflicts with that of the United States where he is now a citizen. He has even helped fund the non-profit group called Independent Diplomat, with the motto “a diplomatic service for those who need it most.” It represented Kosovo, Somaliland and the Polisario Front of Western Sahara, according to The New York Times. All three were looking for recognition as independent states.Soros was targeted by anti-globalization protesters at the 2001 World Economic Forum in Brazil. An Argentinian activist called him a “hypocrite and a monster,” reported the BBC. The next day he had to cancel a trip to Thailand “after protestors threatened to pelt him with rotten eggs and excrement.”In 2004, “two young men threw water and mayonnaise at him” in Ukraine, accusing Soros of trying to push a “velvet revolution” just like had happened in Georgia, reported the BBC. That same year, a critic of that nation’s government said “Georgia does not exist right now, it is only another U.S. state whose governor is George Soros,” wrote Al Jazeerah.His efforts went so poorly in Russia that they came close to open combat.In November, 2003 Al Jazeera reported, “men in battle fatigues have raided the Moscow headquarters of billionaire investor George Soros.” One of the Open Society executives said the attackers had removed documents as a “climax to a long-running commercial dispute.” Soros’s fund pulled out of Russia that year, after having lost a reported $2 billion.Soros has enormous global influence – typically purchased by either his own hand or his Open Society Foundations.At one point, he funded the entire government of the then-new nation of Georgia. “George Soros, the New York financier, helped to establish a special anticorruption fund to supplement the paltry salaries of most government employees, from the president (who gets $1,500 a month) down to border guards ($500 a month),” wrote The New York Times in 2004.In 2008, he gave $50 million to Millennium Promise, run by Soros buddy and economist Jeffrey Sachs. The goal of the project is to get “the world’s 22 richest nations” to increase their foreign aid budgets. He gave another $27 million in 2011 to a related project.Soros has spread billions around he world – even to helpful projects. But his liberal views and aggressive undermining of governments makes everything he does suspect.Given his sweeping global influence, you would think some traditional media outlet might look into that. Oh, that’s right, he funds journalists, too.Dan Gainor is The Boone Pickens Fellow and the Media Research Center’s Vice President for Business and Culture. He can also be contacted on FaceBook and Twitter as dangainor

Anonymous

How did Soros get “his” money? Through criminality. Therefore, his “philanthropy” is using other people’s money to advance his anti-liberty, anti-human agenda.

Anonymous

I think that most average and poor people who hate the rich do so
because of the way so many of them act and the little they share.
Many rich people like to say, “I worked my ass off to get where I am”.
So how many poor can say the same thing. The rich have been
gifted with success by the Lord and walk around like they are
something really special.

My question is: How many lives did you step on on the way up.
How many people did you cheat. If someone else paid your way through
school, I would question how much of your ass you have actually
worked off? How much do you give to the poor. Do you know how to
spell ‘greed’. Look it up in the scriptures, it is listed along with other
means by which you can go to hell. Oh yes, hell is permanent, and
I understand you have to leave all of your toys here.

You do not work your ass off to get into heaven. You give to others
to please the Lord Jesus, thanking Him for your salvation. If you can
not fit yourself through the eye of a needle, you might consider how
you treat the poor while buying yourself that new car every year.
car, boat, home, airplane, etc.

I am still reading thru the Bible looking for the part where the rich
man raised anyone from the dead or anywhere else.

I know, judge not…. I lost my head.

http://www.facebook.com/tkoh.foundation.org Sarah Carrol

Well Stu I think you have tipped your hand? Obviously you seem to feel that the rich are paying an adequate amount or should be paying less. I mean why raise the issue if it is not important to you? You are a part of the media and if you are apparently it is not the media that it doing it?

Maybe it is because …………. a lot of people are busting their butts and getting no where or are unemployed and most do see that the rich are getting richer and usually off the backs of others? One will spend what they make for the most part to a point?

It really doesn’t bother me how much people make as long as they are helping those that are not making it? Why? Because if one believes in God’s way of doing things, the rich are to care for the needs of the poor. Now if we throw God out of the equation then it really doesn’t matter?

What bothers me speaking out for those that are starving to death, is that there are some 12,000 per day starving to death and we are talking about the rich? Can we get a grasp here?

Talking about stuff makes us feel like we are doing something. At least it makes us feel good until we are alone with our conscience?

Anonymous

Sarah….please show me where God tells the rich to care for the needs of the poor…?

Chapter and verse please….and no interpretations…Show me where God says..”The rich must (or should) care for the needs of the poor”.

I believe in God…am not an atheist but I abhor the misuse of God’s word by liberals to defend their defenseless positions. When you make a claim like this…please be prepared to back it up.

It should be really easy. Oh…I can lend you a bible if you don’t have one.

Please do it.

http://www.facebook.com/tkoh.foundation.org Sarah Carrol

Your kidding right?

Matthew 25:31-46 It was the righteous that Jesus turned away because the righteous didn’t recognize Jesus in those that were hungry or those that were homeless, naked, sick or in prison.

Although it does not say that one must but if one has the heart of God they will care about others? Doesn’t it say whatever you to even to the least of these you do unto me? It is all a condition of the heart? What do we have if we do not have love? I think Paul said that one? Come to think of it the fruit of the Spirit of God is love. How can one love if we allow people to starve to death, good grief?

God cares about people not church buildings or stuff. If one is from God then they will represent God’s love and will to people? That is how one knows one is from God.

How about, we show our love for God by how we love others?

True God doesn’t make anyone do anything. But how it is supposed to work is God blesses His people and His people are to bless others with what they have. What we sow we reap thing? Sow to people reap from God. If we have mercy on others, does not God have mercy on us? Then again if we do not have mercy on others then why would God have mercy on us?

I think it is pretty clear.

Anonymous

Really? That is what you have?

Where does that talk about the rich and the poor?

That talks of ALL people providing for the least of these…it is NOT a call for the rich…so why do you make it so?

A condition of the heart is a VOLUNTARY thing. Showing our love of God through our love for people is a VOLUNTARY thing.

I am not in a position to make any moral judgements on anybody about what they do with their money…whether they should or should not take care of the needs of the poor. That is a matter between the individual and God…so how can you do that? What gives you the right to say that anybody should do anything?

What you do for the poor should be done quietly and not in the open…I have no idea what you do…it is none of my business. In the same way it is none of my business what a rich person does or doesn’t do.

Using this bible passage as a justification for the rich to take care of the needs of the poor is wrong. It is simply an explanation that the decisions a person makes…the way he treats his fellow man…will have consequences.

It refers not to the rich at all.

Try again!

http://www.facebook.com/tkoh.foundation.org Sarah Carrol

I hope you don’t expect the poor to fix it? I mean that would really be dumb?

There used to be three classes in the US anyway. Today we are dwindling to two classes the have and have nots and the have not’s have been increasing to a dangerous number.

What I find is if the church did a lot more to deal with the poor besides telling them to be blessed or rich or go get a job, then there would be a lot less taxes. For the church to help people would be a lot less expensive than for the government to do things, but this comes back to attitude and accepting responsibility for what is happening. Jesus was given all power and authority in heaven and earth and as He ascended to heaven that authority was passed to His bride. The bride is supposed to be representing the groom in all things on earth.

The point is it is the body of Christ that has all power and authority, which also means that the only ones that can fix the problems is the body of Christ, not governments, that is if you believe scripture is true.

Granted most in the church do not want to accept the responsibility for what is happening. The problem is in part we teach our children to accept responsibility then we as parents don’t want to accept responsibility. I wonder how that works? It doesn’t, never has and never will.

People have given up hope. When that happens there is more crime alcohol and drug abuse because people are frustrated. This again comes down to the body of Christ because most again do not want to walk with others and be responsible for them. We want to teach, get them saved and say God bless you except they are babes and babes poop a lot and cry a lot and eat a lot, but babes left unwatched will eat anything they can get their hands on good or bad things as they do not have the discernment to know the difference.

Bottom line is if the church does not care, then why would anyone else? Being in the church is like being a parent. Why would parents care about their children? Ya I know God is in control? Funny belief but it does not say that anywhere in scripture.

Here is a bigger point and more important than anything which is to learn to be led by the Spirit of God for they are the sons of God. One is either being led by God’s Spirit or the flesh. If one is led by God’s Spirit the fruit of that is love and that answers your question.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EC7HA52ILNFPLXFTCH6RD2XXAA James

The poor will always be with us. Should we then tear down the people who have made it possible for only 12,000 people to starve to death each day? I’m sure Bill Gates and Warren Buffett would be thrilled to give their money to a government that would squander it on electric cars no one wants. Oh, wait… no they have put their money into a charity that serves Africa, and quite well I might add. Thank God for the rich and the incredible work they do. For government intervention see Soviet Union circa 1917-1992 and the 50 million dead due to every manner of privation. That’s Central Planning for you.

Anonymous

If resident -0bama is telling the truth when he suggests we must all pay our “fair share,” then surely he means to tax the 52% of Americans who are currently paying ZERO in taxes. Hey, I’m all over that idea and anxiously await to see his plan!!!

In reality, this “fair share” crap is just another tired old version of “from each according to his ability to each according to his need.”

Speaking of tired old lines, another one is the LIE about how the rich get that way off the backs of the poor. Nothing could be further from the truth. The rich become rich from working their arses off. While the majority are out partying and pissing away their money, those who desire a better life are doing the work they need to not put off until later. When the majority are paying every dime they earn on the credit cards they maxed out to buy the latest gadget or dine in the expensive restaurant, those who desire a better life are making do with the gadgets they must have and dining at home.

It takes something the whiners will never have to acquire wealth and that’s intestinal fortitude, perseverence, effort, and a work ethic. So, if you think wealthy people are so bad, why don’t you go work for a poor person and see how that turns out.

Anonymous

STU WHATS UP WITH GOLDLINE INVESTAGATION….

http://goo.gl/DvRNm Right Fielder

And 100% of **AMERICANS** think Obama is a worthless POTUS.

Anonymous

Not exactly. I, for one, have a differing view.

http://goo.gl/DvRNm Right Fielder

Ok, scooter, so there’s one dissenting **AMERICAN** that escaped the nationwide sampling. Just so you’ll know, though, your single “vote” is well within the MOE. Scratch…

Anonymous

@RightFielder:disqus So let me ask you something in all honesty: Do you buy clothes “Made in America” and look at the labels of the other items you purchase to insure you’re supporting American workers? I, a fairly Left of center American, take the time and effort to buy as much “American Made” in the hopes of keeping jobs here. Does that make me Un American? Most of the “Right” of center people I know have no problem going into WalMarts and Costcos and filling their cars with stuff “Made across the Pacific”. I’m not bashing these people, but it should be known that I, for one, and many others who do NOT think President “Obama is a worthless POTUS”, are just as much American as you.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.

http://goo.gl/DvRNm Right Fielder

The comment was tongue in cheek. I’m sick of the left and MSM putting all **AMERICANS** in one basket. They do it all the time when trying to sell progressive ideals and agendas. Stinks their, too.

Anonymous

So I can only assume by your comments that I am less of an American because of my views on President Obama, regardless of the fact that I am trying to support American workers. Anyone can put an idealistic bumper sticker on their car, but what about those that are doing something. Yeah, me, this Liberal Idealist is trying to make a difference What have you actually done to make this country better?
By the way, a little side note, do you think the Native “Americans” should be included in that basket of yours?

Anonymous

I humbly accept my oversight on the satire. This sight is definitely a great venue. I just get a little excited when I hear the views of those who have these idealistic opinions of who the true **AMERICANS** are.

http://goo.gl/DvRNm Right Fielder

Thanks for your understanding.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EC7HA52ILNFPLXFTCH6RD2XXAA James

He wasn’t saying you are un-American, he was saying you were “one American” who escaped the sample. It was tongue in cheek. Obviously 35% of Americans think the president is doing a good job, that has been a steady number for these past 4 years. Only 45% think he is doing a poor job, obviously 100% was overkill. You’re not real good with satire are you?

Anonymous

I humbly accept my oversight on the satire. This sight is definitely a great venue.

Anonymous

True **AMERICANS** believe in individual freedom. The freedom to work hard. The freedom to excel without oppression. The freedom to raise our children. The freedom to say the word god or christ without offending anyone. The freedom to live our lives without someone holding our hand. The freedom to make decisions without some arrogant, pompous S.O.B telling us whats good for us. If you support Obama, then yes you are un-american. Good for you for buying some shirts! When our children and grand children have nothing im sure they will thank you!

Guest

“True **AMERICANS** believe in individual freedom. The freedom to work hard. The freedom to excel without oppression. The freedom to raise our children. The freedom to say the word god or christ without offending anyone.”

And what you are saying is even though I am in alignment with the above views, and that I’m buying a couple of “shirts” made here, (incidentally, I’m buying more than shirts pal), I’m “Un American” because I just happen to support someone who doesn’t fit your idealistic role?????
Nothing I say will convince you that being a true American.
Go back to shopping at WalMart.

Anonymous

Hilarious! How ya doin finding those american made products. Its not easy to find a lot these days. You’re trying to support the american economy and you support the administration that chokes that economy with over regulation. You are a typical liberal hypocrite.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IBFF2EYFBRD3YWGNXDUNNJ3V6I Joan

Costco is a huge supporter of the Democrat Party. Wall Mart and Target give more to the Rebublicans. I do look at the labels, and if it is even close I go American. But, people have the right to choose in America. That is part of the reason we are a successful wealthy nation and our population is able to own tvs, cell phones, DVRs, and internet etc even in the poorest families. That is what freedom means.

Anonymous

Well said:)

Anonymous

Walmart, costcos…they employ Americans. This president has brought a nightmare to this fine country. There aren’t enough words to describe what a bone head this african is……..he is beyond bad.

Anonymous

“what a bone head this african is…” I have to wonder what ‘s really in your heart MaryofAriz. It’s comments likes this that make conservative, Republican blacks like myself wonder if we’re even invited to the party. We share many of your values and beliefs (not all apparently) but I have to believe when our backs are turned at the RNC convention, when we’ve donated and campaigned and cheered for the Republican Party, you probably have something against our african or black or Negro or worse, presence.

Anonymous

More reflex about any race comment. BHO is an african and I don’t care if his color was purple. He has used his heritage to get where he is at. Period. I don’t care about race unless it is used for political gain or to destroy someone.

Anonymous

To Ameri1st. I think MaryofAriz is saying he is from Africa, having been born there, according to his grandma, who claimed to have been there when he was born. And she believes he’s a bonehead. If you are a Black American then you are just that, an American. Yes, you may have African decent, just as I have English, Mexican, German and something else, but that doesn’t make me a European, I too am an American. I disagree that he’s a bonehead, I think he’s a very smart socialist, an international socialist, I just completely disagree with him. If you want to know what I say when you aren’t looking, you can just ask. My family prays for his conversion, along with the conversion of all politicians. There are bad people in every race.

Anonymous

Hi Again Right Fielder, As I mentioned above your comment(s) are without merit. Either you say the obvious or you say the ridiculous. I’m sure you’re just as much as American as anyone else, just more foolish and uniformed than most.

Anonymous

Rightfielder, Regardless of what Obama may or may not be, the USA can not afford to relect him in November. I am not sure 100% is accurate but I get your message.

What a shocker… an Obama Brown Shirt unhappy with someone dissing his messiah.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_67K73U3ZA47OXKFYKCBX3GVGYE Viper

Dear Dr. Dennismcbk (or whatever advanced degree you hold). He can post whatever he wants. The left’s obsession with ‘childishness’ and ‘infantile’ comments is beyond me. It was OB that used the term ‘wee weed up’ wasn’t it?

http://twitter.com/tmtompkins Terry Tompkins

The next time the President decides to use Bible scripture to justify more “spreading the wealth”, I suggest someone show him this passage:
Proverbs
29:4 CEB

“A king gives stability to the land by justice, but one who imposes
heavy taxes tears it down.”Apparently the administration isn’t able to distinguish individuals caring for each other from the government “caring” for us all. -Terry

Anonymous

Good call Terry, I wish I had said what you did.

Anonymous

It seems you’re giving a pep talk for the return of nobility based on scripture. If you truly believe that’s a good idea may I suggest you move to the middle east.

Anonymous

And, 2 Thess 3:10.

Christian Carr

From the speech that Obama just gave I think we need to be careful, as usual.

Obama said that this Buffet rule is going to Congress for a vote and that they should do what all Americans want, including Republicans…(lie)…and pass this law. He went on to say that if not then we have no choice but to get the money from you poor hard working Americans instead of the rich people. (My wording, of course…but it is what he said).

I believe he is banking on this to fail so that he will say that now, because of the evil rich Republicans we have no choice but to raise everyone’s taxes. This, of course, will put more people on the hate rich people band wagon and give him a reason to raise taxes. Also, this will give him ammunition in his campaign.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EC7HA52ILNFPLXFTCH6RD2XXAA James

That is very interesting. I am surprised by those results.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LR3I4X656U47FEK4XYRP6VHJ5U Marie

I can tell you one thing about the fair share issue. The hollywood richie riches are not going to get anymore of my fair share.

http://www.facebook.com/ManAGod Man AGod

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

Works for me!

Anonymous

Every item sold should carry a heavy graduated luxury sales tax plus a set percentage (same for everyone) of income on everyone, after a “free of tax” basic amount. In addition all tax “breaks” should be eliminated, no one should be allowed to pay nothing.

Anonymous

If Caesar is stealing like Obama or that horrible wretch Palosi is, it is harder to do.
Yes we should give him his. I think, the issue is what should actually be considered
his. We should also pray for these two as it is like pouring hot coals on their heads.
Please feel free to correct me, if I am wrong.

Obama steals from America everytime he opens his mouth to read what he has been
told to say.

The media bias has definitely had many Americans fooled into believing what they want us to believe. When people know how much the rich are actually paying they are astounded. It’s just difficult for us to receive actual facts on the tax rate, because the democrats essentially have control over the media. This type of reporting is definitely caused “mainstream media,” the fact that the media is avoiding stories on the tax rate that will offend anyone. It’s a type of media coverage that is unfair to all Americans, who are deceived and aren’t being told the truth a lot of the time.

http://www.facebook.com/tkoh.foundation.org Sarah Carrol

I know this is going to be a rather unpopular post before I even write it, but lets give it a try at least?

I think Americans tend to be rather un-trusting, which might make us a tad untrustworthy, mostly because of how we started out? I am talking about the real America, one which most do not like to talk about. The America that was started by having slaves of several types, not just the blacks, but the Chinese as well. We really cannot forget that we stole that land from the Native Americans, which back then were not Americans? They thought it rather silly that man could own land, because to them it was the creator that could only own what the creator, created. So we made the deal of the century giving them nice shiny beads.

The other thing that America did when ever it could was take natural resources from anywhere it could find natural resources, such as crude oil. The problem we face today is that where we got much of the crude oil was in places that finally wised up to what we were taking from them.

Most people over look much of the REAL American history, because your right we want to teach our children we did a noble thing instead of stealing the land and the resources. WE like to walk around saying the pledge of allegiance when women were not even considered as much of anything and were not even allowed to vote until 1920. One good thing about not being able to vote is that it clearly was not our fault if it came out screwed up.

WE find if we look hard enough at our history that in 1807 women lost the right to vote in New Jersey, the last
state to revoke the right. It was women that for the most part spoke out against slavery, where in the 1830’s we find the formation of the female anti-slavery associations. Black males in 1868 were given the right to vote before women? Go figure?

It wasn’t until 1918 that Woodrow Wilson a democrat finally declares support for women’s suffrage.

So when we say **American** I always tend to wonder what a person means by it? Are they talking about REALITY or some fictional work where there is freedom and justice for all?

I would prefer if we here in this blog do not get it into your pretty little heads that I am a democrat. I am not. I also do not want you to think I agree with Obama, but it sickens my stomach for us not to deal with the truth, which is really the only way one can be free or it was a great person that said ah let me see, “the truth will set you free,” yet so few actually want to deal with the truth, but some version thereof.

Why am I saying all of this? What I see is that there is little trust with Americans for many reasons including some of the reasons stated here. This is but a small sampling. If we do not learn to clean up our messes or even care to admit that we may have created some messes, which is by the way how Obama got into office, then we will be doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again.

Yes most Americans do not trust the rich. I wonder why? Dah…………..?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GIMQFUDQG6R7WGJ6J2GDPM2MBY Jay

Well, you and Michelle Obama think alot alike then. Judging the past using present day morals is apples vs. oranges. Did you know the first person to own a slave in the colonies was a Black Man…in Massachusetts?
We haven’t been perfect, nobody is saying we have been. Nobody is whitewashing your pet peeves here, no matter how outraged you are over them.

This country has been the most generous, the most successful, a true land of opportunity (well, until 2009, anyway) the “Shining City on the Hill” – the beacon of liberty and freedom for the entire world.

So put your guilty-white-liberal shame of this country away. It’s not wanted, it’s not appropriate, and it certainly doesn’t help change anything. You’re either a part of the problem, or part of the solution. Choose to be part of the solution. Please.

Anonymous

Wow, I feel so ashamed to be an American, I just wish I’d never been born. I wish my ancestors hadn’t come here to start a new life. I apologies for living here.

Does that make you feel better?

Anonymous

Nonsense. Tell us the poll details. These figures smack of outright fabrication, which is unusual because Glen and Stu usually take the safer and simpler course and mislead through the use of selective facts and specious reasoning. The redistribution of wealth over the last 30 years has been from the middle class to the extremely wealthy. This is one of the reasons for our current economic malaise, and it’s a story that conservatives (so called) don’t like to discuss.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7DV6ZHLIXE7JCC3NQQYELH4NSY Cindy

Rev Wallis and other progressives conveniently only see the “output” of capitolism – they don’t see the “imput” – the work, toil, planning, economizing, stretching time, overtime, etc., that it takes to build a business, a dream, a life. Their world is very small and skewed, because they only “see” the output. It is very evident and telling, they haven’t experienced very much “imput”, otherwise, they would appreciate and respect the work and those who do the “imput.”

Captolism works – because PEOPLE do. They dream, they plan, they MAKE it happen.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7DV6ZHLIXE7JCC3NQQYELH4NSY Cindy

It isn’t about “exceptionalism” at all – it is about opportunity, and making the most of it.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7DV6ZHLIXE7JCC3NQQYELH4NSY Cindy

The reason why opporunity doesn’t happen in many other countries, is because of CORRUPTION in government.

JONATHAN KISER

Liberalism, Socialism, and Communism found in the Media strongly stand against personal success, don’t let them mislead you otherwise. The want to rob from the successful, destroy the middle class, and control the poor. What part of BAD do they not understand?

JONATHAN KISER

Hey Mr. POTUS, listen to this saying! “Taxing ones self into prosperity is like standing in a bucket and lifting yourself up by the handle.” – Winston Churchill

Anonymous

It is just going to come down to “different laws for different people”!! They talk about fair share, they mean fair share for those that dont agree with them will be
different and a higher share!!

Anonymous

Makes me think of “separate but equal”.
Wouldn’t that phrase apply to how the B.O. Administration wants to treat “the rich”?
And, please pardon my naïvité, by just how much money does one have to make in order to be considered “rich”? I recall hearing the sum of $250k/year. To me and my family’s meager income of under $50/k for a family of 4, yes, that is rich!
However, the young family of 3 (mom – a doctor, dad- a lawyer, and their 1-year-old daughter), $250k isn’t “rich” considering how much each parent is still paying on student loans for their advanced degrees. The doctor is trying to buy her own practice, as well. And, yes, I am speaking about a real family whom I know.
To them, $250k is comfortable within limits. If their taxes were raised, they would not be able to afford their nice house and two family cars, which I feel they have EARNED through hard work in school and their respective occupations.
I personally feel it is wrong for one person who has not put in the time and effort to earn a better living to tell someone who has put in the effort that they should “share the wealth”.
If I spent three months on my garden and you spent three months planted on the couch watching TV for most of your waking hours, why should I be obligated to give you even part of my food? I had to pay for the soil, seeds, fertilizer & other plant nutrients, water – and my own sweat & time in order to reap those fruits and veggies for MY family. If I wish to share my surplus with friends, family, neighbors, & my community, that is my choice, not the government’s, not yours, and not a bunch of squatters in a park. Change those fruits & veggies to dollars, and it’s the same thing.
I don’t begrudge that young family for their prosperity – I applaud it. They both worked their butts off to get where they are today, and are working even harder to make their lives better as heir child grows. I am glad to know them, because I know they are people my children can look up to as role models. The young doctor grew up in a family much like ours- not dirt poor, but not rich by the basic standards in a first-world country. She didn’t have Mommy & Daddy pay her way through med school- she earned it herself, the same way I earned my B.A. The fact that I did not continue my education further in order to secure a more prosperous future for myself, and now my family whom I solely support (a decision my spouse & I decided when we were ready to have children) falls squarely on my shoulders.
Why can’t people take responsibility for their station in life based on their own actions or inactions rather than wanting to tear down those who have worked hard for what they have?
Why does the leader of a free and prosperous nation feel he has the right to take from those who have worked hard to be in the position of the “Haves” and give it to anyone who falls into the category of the “Have-nots”?
Charity is not charity if it does not come from the heart- so please do not respond with any rhetoric about charity. Thank you.

Anonymous

Hi Glenn – I figure that my house, being roughly 3200 SQ ft, I should be able to share it with 16 adults and about 11 children. I also have a large yard, so their 11 pitbulls and various animals would be graciously accepted under the obama plan of sharing – I would feed them, get them their drugs and be sure to have enough for the dog and cat food + treats. I would employ a physician and a vet to care for them while they wile away the day drinking beer and watching my big screen TVs – we’ll need at least 6 of those, figure. Also, because the yard is so large, I could request an extra 10-GP large tents to be erected and only have to hire an additional 9-10 people to help feed the yard herd.

So Glenn – How large is your yard??

Anonymous

Want to shut up all the democratic liberals in congress talking about wealth redistribution? Just start asking them to consider redistributing a person’s “net worth” and watch how fast they run. Since most don’t need their congressional salary, paying higher payroll taxes means nothing to them. By the way this should shut up Warren Buffet too!

Anonymous

Makes me think of “separate but equal”.
Wouldn’t that phrase apply to how the B.O. Administration wants to treat “the rich”?
And, please pardon my naïvité, by just how much money does one have to make in order to be considered “rich”? I recall hearing the sum of $250k/year. To me and my family’s meager income of under $50/k for a family of 4, yes, that is rich!
However, the young family of 3 (mom – a doctor, dad- a lawyer, and their 1-year-old daughter), $250k isn’t “rich” considering how much each parent is still paying on student loans for their advanced degrees. The doctor is trying to buy her own practice, as well. And, yes, I am speaking about a real family whom I know.
To them, $250k is comfortable within limits. If their taxes were raised, they would not be able to afford their nice house and two family cars, which I feel they have EARNED through hard work in school and their respective occupations.
I personally feel it is wrong for one person who has not put in the time and effort to earn a better living to tell someone who has put in the effort that they should “share the wealth”.
If I spent three months on my garden and you spent three months planted on the couch watching TV for most of your waking hours, why should I be obligated to give you even part of my food? I had to pay for the soil, seeds, fertilizer & other plant nutrients, water – and my own sweat & time in order to reap those fruits and veggies for MY family. If I wish to share my surplus with friends, family, neighbors, & my community, that is my choice, not the government’s, not yours, and not a bunch of squatters in a park. Change those fruits & veggies to dollars, and it’s the same thing.
I don’t begrudge that young family for their prosperity – I applaud it. They both worked their butts off to get where they are today, and are working even harder to make their lives better as heir child grows. I am glad to know them, because I know they are people my children can look up to as role models. The young doctor grew up in a family much like ours- not dirt poor, but not rich by the basic standards in a first-world country. She didn’t have Mommy & Daddy pay her way through med school- she earned it herself, the same way I earned my B.A. The fact that I did not continue my education further in order to secure a more prosperous future for myself, and now my family whom I solely support (a decision my spouse & I decided when we were ready to have children) falls squarely on my shoulders.
Why can’t people take responsibility for their station in life based on their own actions or inactions rather than wanting to tear down those who have worked hard for what they have?
Why does the leader of a free and prosperous nation feel he has the right to take from those who have worked hard to be in the position of the “Haves” and give it to anyone who falls into the category of the “Have-nots”?
Charity is not charity if it does not come from the heart- so please do not respond with any rhetoric about charity. Thank you.

Anonymous

Much talk and little substance. If you think having less and less money, and paying less and less in taxes, offers an advantage, then I suggest you voluntarily begin living in poverty. In a year report back and tell us all about the advantages of poverty. If you think the rich are to be pitied because of their wealth I suggest you see a psychiatrist. I defy you to give one reason, moral or pragmatic, why a society needs the rich. Four individuals making $250k per year can contribute just as much in investment and tax revenue at one individual making one million per year. The fact is the rich early on satisfy their worldly needs and begin using their excessive wealth not to build a stable society but rather to speculate. And the result of this speculation has been a major financial crisis in the United States every ten to twenty years since the early 1800’s.

Addendum: The rich do not work any harder than the poor. I can find you numerous jobs paying the minimum wage that will work your derriere off every eight to ten hours. Stop giving the rich credit for what is nothing more than good luck. Often nothing more than being born and living at the right time and right place.

Anonymous

You don’t seem to have a clue. Who is talking about advantages of poverty?

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Anonymous

I really, I mean Really, don’t care what they think is “fair” about the rich people’s contributions. I don’t even care what the “rich” are making. It’s the smallest group at the farthest end of this spectrum.
Everyone is ignoring the amount the Mom and Pop shops ARE paying. You want a story?
You go find a bunch of small stores and shops that wouldn’t mind you going through their books (me, and any other small business owners) And add up what it takes in time and money spent and sent to the government to keep their businesses open. That will tell you exactly what shape we are in. Don’t wave the shiny coin for them, look where they are Not directing you.

Anonymous

Raising a Conservative Child Behind Liberal Lines

I have 3 kids, the youngest is in the first grade. A few week back I come home and my wife hands me his math homework and says, “I don’t know how to do this.” Immediately I’m thinking to myself, “First grade math and you work in a bank?”
On the worksheet are groups of items, stars, balloons, etc and the instructions stated:

“CIRCLE TWO FAIR SHARES”

I had to read it twice and then said, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Not 2 halves or 3 equal parts, “two fair shares.” It’s subtle & ingenious really and blatant all at the same time . Plant a small seed, push my kid along that path of thought. Get him into that mind set.
My first questions was, “What’s fair?” Maybe this guy needs 12 stars and the other guy only needs 8 or 4. Maybe 1 of them is a millionaire. Shouldn’t his fair share be 23 stars, while the other guy only contributes 1??

At least they’re no longer leaving it to the teacher to indoctrinate our children, just use the curriculum and assignments to do it.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FVONTN7NFYTGM7O4B4QIGRMWAU Ling Ling

Well, who cares about me? I have been completely divided from all of you because I am a racist. So, why should I care about any other group? (My point is your thoughts, thank you.)

Anonymous

The concept of “Fair Share” needs to be defined in terms outside of monitory wealth. We all make decisions through out our lives that affect our wealth, health, number of kids, and families. We trade things like: instant gratification, stress, risk, education, recreation time, family time, health, and more for wealth. We conservatives need to change the narrative about “Fair Share” to force consideration of risks taken, gratification denied, daily stress, …… .

Like sports if you only look at the reward for being the champion and not the cost to get their you conclude everyone deserves a trophy!

The narrative the left loves “that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer” is because they don’t offset the wealth of the rich with the cost in terms of sacrifice and work. “Fair Share” needs to be defined in terms of family, health, personal freedom to make our life decisions. Not the outcomes of those decisions.

Anonymous

Just finished our taxes. My wife worked 2 jobs & I work 3 jobs. Wow, We made 101.4K. Last year made 86.6K. Last years taxes were 8.8K, this year 12.2K, WTF…The contributers cannot provide enough! We worked all the extra hours to reduce our debt & the government just takes more & more… for what! I have a daughter-in-law that will not get a job. She lives off of welfare, food stamps & govt housing, even though she has been trained in phlebotomy. She could not complete her probation, because she could not show up on time! It is easier to be a ward of the govt than to be a productive citizen!
I am the silent majority, I am the Tea Party, I am Sparticus & I will no longer be a slave to the United States Federal Government!

Anonymous

The problem is the richest of the rich who actually have a lower effective tax rate than the rich-but-less-rich. Higher taxes for the “rich” may be a bad idea, but getting rid of the loopholes that allow some of the richest Americans to pay NOTHING in income taxes would certainly be nice.

Anonymous

I listen to Beck everyday. Today I heard him say (basically) “so what if they paid in so much” the retirement age needs to be extended to 75 because 10 years ago there was no government
to feed them until they die. He said nothing about the millions that worked hard, loaned money to the government, and went on about their business. Some have been successful and do not need social security but accept it anyway to help pay for their second and third homes, cruises, etc. Many need what they have been promised. Now those that did not and have not worked, saved or contributed are collecting what should be saved for those who did work, save, and lend to the pigs in Washington, some of which have chosen to “Retire” based upon the rules they were given by the collection of pigs in Washington. The staggered permitted retirement date
was created by the government. Thousands have planned for years on being able to collect
Social Security for their very livelyhood. Many have experienced enough comfort in their lives that they are likely not going to sit still and accept this from the pigs. I see armed conflict in
the streets of the USA. Once the pigs kills off enough of the population for them to control
I doubt there will be many talk shows like there are today.

Now I start to hear the early commentary which will strive to place Social Security recipients in the same category as those who have no right to be here and those who have never done anything but live off the government. I think that if Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh start the process of finding another portion of our population as being the ones at fault, let them be
honest and draw the whole picture for once.

The issue is not that we “paid in”. The issue is that we paid in enough to take care of those
of us who did pay in. The problem is that the goverment stold the contributions and are
and because of the waste of the pigs in Washington now refusing to repay this ‘loan’. So Beck, you S_B when you open your big mouth and talk about “so what if they paid in so much”. You should at very least make it clear why they are rightfully intitled.

Thousands have given up their jobs to retire and in the process made new jobs for their replacements. Many have lost their skills and could not do the same work they did before. Many are now too old or disabeled to flop burgers etc. Many will lose their necessities of life. Why… the pigs in Washington.